Årania
| Free administrative region of Årania | |
|---|---|
| |
| State | Unified Commonwealth 
|
| Capitol | Åranvik |
| Population | ~7300 |
| Area | 700.000m2 or 70ha |
| Density | 104,28/ha |
| National languages | Åranian, Thorildsk 
|
| Independence | 0-48,46Ð |
| Economy | |
| GDP | 374.508.655 Crowns |
| GDP per capita | 51.635 Crowns per capita |
| Main cities | |
| Åranvik | |
| Lyvan | |
| Vesgrot | |
Årania, also known as Aarania or Arania is a region in the Thorildsby Project. It's population is estimated at around 7300, with a size of approximately 700.000m2 or 70ha giving it a population density of 104,28/ha. It borders Thorildhøj in the north and Høvemark in the south. Årania has three cities: Åranvik, Lyvan, and Vesgrot with Åranvik being the biggest city of Årania and also the capitol.
Culture
Due to its geographical position, Årania represents a sphere of different cultures. Especially notable is the cultural influence of Thorildhøj in the city of Åranvik and the cultural influence of Kalkdui in Lyvan. The interior of the country to this day preserves the older cultural heritage of the pre-war times, which was the most influencial period of national cultural history, as the country grew away from its historic ally and became more dependend on itself, causing a rise in patriotism and giving way to many historical figures.
Due to the aftermath of the War of Dignity, Årania has the need to seperate itself from the Lanborg Region, therefore fueling patriotistic movements and implementing a patriotic mindset. Because of that, to many Åranians, cultural identity is very important, therefore making preservation of local traditions a common practice among the young population. This mindset in its strength in Årania is not seen in other regions, making Åranian famous for its patriotism and associating the country with its national colour - Deep Orange, and the national flower the Åranian Edelweiss, which is also depicted on the national banner and flag.
Like in the entire Commonwealth, the Commonwealth Chamber of Cultural Heritage is tasked with preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage and overseeing its development. The FYNesco list contains 10 structures protected in Årania.
Cuisine
Åranian Cuisine has been shaped widely by political, cultural and economic influences giving the nation a unique mix of dishes. Due to the hot climate and fertile soil on riverbanks and shores, Årania developed a strong agricultural economy which contributed to the cuisine as well. The main ingredients to the cuisine became flour, pumpkins, potatoes, cabbage as well as meat and milk products. One of the most famous dishes is called Gry, which is originated in the city of Lyvan during war times, and sees varieties such as Fiskegry or Sorgry. It more commonly consumed in rural regions and Lyvan and more rarely in Åranvik, which was influenced more by Thorildhøj dishes such as Sødsnegl originating from the Spandauer in Thorildhøj.
The nation's cuisine is also very famous for its small pumpkin custard pastry - Paastje. It became popular as a bakery snack in urban regions as Åranvik or Lyvan. Together with Sødsnegl, there have been many varieties. The nation is also a moderate wine producer, also being important for the cultural identity, as during the War of Dignity wine cellar networks (catacombs) were used to hide from axis Lanborg powers.
Holidays
Holidays are an important part of Åranian culture, reflecting on the war-times and the freindships and losses that came with it.
The most famous and spectacular holiday in the nation is the Paradisdag, which is a farewell to all soldiers who died in the War of Dignity, which shaped Årania forever. On the first day of uneven months, participants gather on the Paradisstra'e in northern Åranvik at around 22:30 with orange wish papers and banners. There, stuntmen perform until midnight which is when the participants release the orange wish papers in the air.
The capitol, Åranvik celebrates the famous Kavenø Duatlon, with which the friendship between Årania and Thorildhøj is celebrated. The annual race starts from the ex-Thorildhøjan exclave Kavenø, from where the participants swim to Pomåran Havn and eat a cod filet before they pass the torch to their partner who then runs on the ₴1 tracks back to Kavenø, where they consume a cup of traditional Thorildhøj coffee with a Spandauer. This holiday was first celebrated on -3Ð.
A famous holiday in Årania is the Paradisdag. It celebrates the independence fighters in the War for Årania. Participants take an orange flag or banner and orange wish paper and let it go at night.
Transport
As Årania was heavily damaged during the War of Dignity, Lanborg and its region pay financial reparations to the nation. This money paired with the Commonwealth fund allows construction of bigger projects and overall modernisation. Therefore, after the creation of the Commonwealth the RS1 was planned, as the Commonwealth wanted to focus on the development of Årania as a whole.
Before trains existed, people were hiking across the nation, no matter how long the journey was. This is how the settlement of Vesgrot was created; as many peasants were hiking between the cities Åranvik and Lyvan, they often pit-stopped and a camp was created to sell nutrients and offer a place to sleep. As Årania was a very religious country, lots of temples were built along the hiking trail between Åranvik and Lyvan (going through Vesgrot). They can still be prayed in and seen today. The biggest temple of Årania is the Hæjvé Temple, being one of the most spectacular temples of Årania.
Recently, a rail connection was established between Åranvik and Lyvan, the RS1
Economy
Before -48Ð, the economy of Årania was very fragile, as during the partial occupation of Årania by Lanborg druing the War of Dignity, all leftovers of industry were forced to be sent to Lanborg and there was no chance of economic development. After the war, Årania gained a massive forced donation by Lanborg as a reperation the the damage done during the war. Using the money, Årania became the fastest developing region at the time. The economy was aided even more, when the Commonwealth demanded that Lanborg donated even more money as reparations. That money was not focused on the economy, but rather on medicine and education.
Agriculture
Agriculture is by far the largest field of industry in Årania. Because of its warm summers, large amounts of sun days and abundance of drinking water, it is one of the best places to grow crops. The land on the interior of the country is drier than on the river deltas and bays, so it usually not farmed in the interior of the country. Additionally, the soil on the bays and deltas is much richer. Årania is such a big exporter of crops, that the neighbouring region Thorildhøj relies on Årania to export a portion of their crops to them. The industry produces 250% of what Årania can consume.
Shipbuilding
Årania is the biggest builder of ships in the northern Commonwealth. AVII has their biggest boat factory in Åranvik, which was historically an important place of sea trade. The shipbuilding industry is rapidly decreasing however, as demand gets lower each year. Some reasons for that might be that wars are very unlikely to happen due to the Commonwealth and other countries don't need military sea vehicles anymore. Also, the quality of the boats is the best in the Commonwealth, so the boats will be used for many decades of Ð; the places that needed boats already recieved them and will only need to replace them in the far future.
Tourism
Årania is a perfect destination for tourists looking to see unique architecture, great food, wonderful culture and sunny beaches. Most tourists visit the capitol, Åranvik by train. The tourism sector in Årania is an industry that rises very slowly, making up about 18% of the economy.
Others
Other important industry sectors include financial services, fishing and forestry.
Languages
There are two very similar languages spoken in Årania, that being Åranian and Thorildsk. Both of them are mutually intelligible. Åranian is used everywhere, however a small Thorildhøjan minority exists, which prefers Thorildsk. Åranian as the main language, is forced to be taught in schools. However, after the scholars are confident in their language skills, they can replace half of their Åranian lessons with Thorildsk lessons. This acceptance of Thorildhøjan culture has been introduced by the minority party during the introduction of the Commonwealth.
Notable People
Allan Egeval
Allan Egeval was a politican focused in the theoretical perspective. He is famous for his books "Death of a Kingdom" and "Crime blooms into Riches", both published during the War of Dignity predicting that Lanborg will lose the war with scientific evidence, this turned out to be true. After the War of Dignity ended, he recieved a medal with a massive monetary prize for his studies by the monarch of Årania, Gunnar af Hoogbjerg. After this, Allan Egeval returned to his quiet hometown, Vesgrot. According to him, in his hometown he "felt his inner peace" and "was happier than ever", publishing books about politics and life.
In -11Ð, Allan Egeval was reached out to by the Åranian president, wanting to liberate Lanborg from the dictatorship under Einar II. Over the next 2Ð, Allan Egeval created a peace plan with the creation of a Commonwealth of nations, united under a single constitution and units of measurement. For this he met many politicians, physicists and theoricians. Then, an ultimatum was made, that until 6Ð Einar II should hold independent votes, else the Northern Coalition will invade the Lanborg Empire.
After small protests have been turned down, a conspiracy got through the people, to assemble at all squares of Lanborg, including Melon Square right before 0Ð. During the protests that blocked the city, Einar II tried to kill protestors, yet they comitted to their action. After 14 hours of protests, Fyndrix killed Einar II and Allan Egeval's plan of the Commonwealth of Nations was established.
Allan Egeval recieved the Commonwealth Platinum Plaque as his peace prize. He passed away in in 14Ð, at 101Ð old. According to his doctor and therapist, he was in perfect condition and very happy with his life.